Interview: Olympic snowboarder Aimee Fuller

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How did you get into snow sports?

I’ve always done a variety of sports – I started out using a quad bike at the age of three and started skiing when I was four. I used to go to the local dry slope [Bromley Ski Centre, in Kent] every Saturday. At the same time I was doing motorcross, which helped with aggression and attacking turns when I started snowboarding.

At what age did you turn to snowboarding?

When I was 12, we moved to the US because my parents got jobs in Washington DC. Living in Virginia, the local hill was an hour-and-a-half away. The Appalachian mountains aren’t the highest around but they tend to make up for it with quality parks. That’s when I hung up my skis and started snowboarding. I was able to get out on my board every other weekend and absolutely loved it! I’d go up with my friend and we’d just hurl ourselves off little jumps and rails.

I went for the go-big-or-go-home approach

How did you make the move to pro rider?

After three years in the US we were due to move back to the UK. I’d been begging my mum to let me go to a snowboard summer camp and, in the August before we moved to Belfast, she let me go to a camp in Mount Hood, Oregon. Erin Comstock, the professional Roxy rider, was my coach for the week. When we moved back to the UK I got a phone call from the company and, two weeks later, I was off to Switzerland to Saas Fee. Pretty much from that camp on, I’ve been sponsored by Roxy.

What do you love most about snowboarding?

The feeling I love the most is the freedom – when you’re on the mountain, you forget about everything else, you’re up there doing your thing. And I love the fact there are so many options to try new things.

Fuller learnt to snowboard in America at the age of 12

Why did you choose to compete in slopestyle?

It gives you the opportunity to be creative and express your unique style on your snowboard. It’s challenging and makes me push myself to my limits, which gives me a huge rush.

How has the sport changed since you started competing professionally, aged 19?

The main thing is that the skill level of the girls at the top has progressed so much. Since slopestyle was introducded to the Olympics in 2014, we have been riding the same courses as the boys, with the same sized jumps.

Does that have a knock-on effect?

You’re now seeing a huge variety of girls from all different backgrounds, all different shapes, sizes and ages giving it a go. Everyone is at their local snow centre, going for it, and that’s cool to see.

What was the effect of slopestyle becoming an Olympic discipline?

The feedback from everyone was absolutely insane and so many people have messaged me to say they were inspired by Sochi. By going there, we hoped to bring slopestyle into the mainstream in the UK, show how much fun it is and bring people to the snow centres. And that worked! Statistically there’s been a huge increase in people of all ages getting involved since.

How was your preparation for the Olympics?

For me, it was a real rollercoaster – I only managed to qualify two weeks before the Games, because I’d been out with injuries. I needed a top 12 finish at the US Grand Prix in Colorado and I came 11th. It was so intense, I have never put myself through pressure like it before.

Fuller is one of the ambassadors for the This Girl Can campaign

What happened when you got to Sochi?

I arrived completely unprepared and didn’t know what to expect – it was my first time at the Olympics. But I learnt so much and had a great time just experiencing it all. I’d do it differently next time though – I’d try to qualify a lot sooner and prepare myself a lot better. It was all a whirlwind… but that was just the start for me; I’ve got a lot left in the tank.

Tell us about the injuries you had

In 2013, a year before the Olympics, I had three injuries. I dislocated my AC joint [between the clavicle and the shoulder blade] a week before the New Zealand World Cup, and twice damaged my rotator cuff. It wasn’t the best timing as I wasn’t able to ride and had to miss the main contest to qualify for the Olympics.

How did it feel standing at the start gate of the Olympic run with a crowd below and the country watching at home?

I completely block all that out – you have to. If you think about thousands of people watching, you’d be so distracted. I was thinking about what I wanted to put down on the day.

The Royal Garden Party was very cool – no Jägerbombs but great tea

You got through your heat but not the semi-final. What happened?

I went for the go-big-or-go-home approach. Unfortunately the runs didn’t quite go to plan, but that had been the mentality I’d wanted, so I could leave Sochi with no regrets. It’s when you get down and take your helmet and goggles off that you realise that you’ve just performed in front of all those people, and it’s crazy.

You then joined Tim Warwood and Ed Leigh in the BBC commentary box to watch Jenny Jones win her bronze medal. How was that?

It was absolutely insane – just being there, so close to it. We were all in such shock that emotions ran high and we went wild. We couldn’t believe it, our best friend had just won an Olympic medal for Great Britain.

It didn’t faze me. I had some great feedback too. I had the likes of Olympic swimmer and TV presenter Sharon Davies saying it was awesome to watch. At the end of the day, though, it wasn’t about me. It was about Jenny winning her medal.

What’s it like behind the scenes at snowboarding events and in training?

All the girls are super-friendly – we’ve got a really good crew. And the boys are really helpful, especially before the event, giving us tips on getting over the jumps – because they’re pretty huge! In general, it’s quite a friendly sport.

What do riders get up to in their spare time?

A lot of chilling – you go and ride, do your thing, come down the hill and chill. We want to be fresh for competing. On training trips we do lots of stretching and yoga, or go to the trampolines – any way to look after our bodies.

You’ve been one of the athletes promoting Sport England’s This Girl Can campaign. What has that involved?

In May, I spent an evening with the Ignite Junior Snowboard Academy at the Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead, working with young snowboarders (both girls and boys), encouraging them to get involved and try new moves. I think This Girl Can is an amazing campaign. It’s making people aware that it doesn’t matter how old you are, where you’re from, what you look like or what shape or size you are. It’s about getting out there and giving it a go. And it emphasises how fun it can be to get involved with sport – snowboarding is a challenge but it’s exciting. I want to show how much fun women can have on the slopes and how many people you can meet when trying it.

What is the key advice you’d give girls and women to keep them motivated when trying out snowboarding?

Every time you go snowboarding, try something new, no matter how big or small – that one thing will keep you coming back time and time again.

Fuller poses on the red carpet at the BT Sport Industry Awards 2015

Who’s your female sporting icon?

I’m a big fan of Victoria Pendleton. When I see someone else succeed, it gives me shivers; it reminds me what I want and where I want to be. That’s why I love watching sport – it motivates me to be my best.

Being a part of Team GB opens up some interesting opportunities, doesn’t it? What was it like to get dressed up and party at Buckingham Palace?

The Royal Garden Party was very cool – no Jägerbombs but great tea and very good cake – I was in my element. Snowboarding has taken me to some amazing places and the Queen’s back garden was definitely one of them.

What other sports do you do to help with your snowboard training?

Skateboarding is amazing – going on a halfpipe ramp and pumping it gets you used to riding switch on a snowboard. Also, I’ve started doing yoga – it really helps with flexibility, moving into position, getting up off the ground and learning how to fall.

The feeling I love the most is the freedom – when you’re on the mountain, you forget about everything else

You snowboard all over the world, so where are your favourite destinations?

It varies all the time. The Vans Penken Park in Mayrhofen has such a quick lift back up to the top of the run, that you get lots of laps in, which is amazing. And I love Flachau’s Absolut Park, also in Austria – the jumps are perfect for progression.

What have been the highlights of your competitive career so far?

I was on top of the podium two years in a row at the O’Neill Pleasure Jam in Dachstein, Austria. It’s always a great competition with a strong field. Plus, of course, sticking my double back flip at the X Games in 2013. [The first time a woman had landed the trick in competition.]

What’s your goal for the 2015/16 season?

I plan to be in London in November, first for the Telegraph Ski & Snowboard Show, then hopefully competing in the World Cup competition – a Big Air, unusually for me – at Freeze in the Olympic Park. For the rest of the season, I want to explore my own boundaries, try some new tricks and see where I can go. I’ll also continue to work as a This Girl Can ambassador, as well for Snowsport England’s Go Ski Go Board programme, helping to promote participation in snowboarding – especially for girls and women.

Meet Aimee and other members of the GB Park and Pipe team at this year’s Telegraph Ski & Snowboard Shows in Manchester (October 30 to November 1) and London (November 5 to 8). Tickets are available to book now at skiandsnowboard.co.uk.